Let’s have a look at the morphological, syntactic and semantic characteristics of adverbs.
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Morphological Characteristics of Adverbs
We inflect some adverbs for comparison like adjectives. An example: soon, sooner, soonest. This pattern is not very common with adverbs.
Adverbs may be simple. A lot of adverbs derive from adjectives by means of the ending –ly. Have a look:
– simple adverbs: today, here, now
– derived adverbs: clearly, beautifully, strangely
Syntactic Characteristics
Adverbs can occur as the head of an adverb phrase: a little less satisfactorily than I had expected
We usually use adverbs as modifiers or adverbials:
– modifiers in adjective phrases: strikingly beautiful
– modifiers in adverb phrases: very well
– adverbials: She said it slowly.
Semantic Characteristics
As modifiers adverbs usually express degree: slightly damaged, very late
As adverbials adverbs can be divided into:
– circumstance adverbials – they describe the circumstances under which sth happens:
Tom speaks beautifully
they arrived yesterday
– stance adverbials – they express the attitude toward the content of the rest of the clause:
she’s probably interested in your offer
surely you know what to do
– linking adverbials – they express the connection between clauses:
We didn’t need money, nevertheless we sold the house.
I’d like to see the movie, however, I’d rather stay at home.